It was a thrill when a diabetes specialist took time to tell me how much he enjoyed reading my book Living With Diabetes.  What sent me over the moon was that this specialist, who practices in a teaching hospital, told us he has his students read it because it gives medical folks in training a look at diabetes from the perspective of those who have, and live, with the disease.

My husband and I have been living with his diabetes for over 20 years. Today we work together to maintain his health and enjoy full, productive lives.  Sadly it took us a while to get to this point.  Like many diabetic families it took us time to figure out how to do the best that we can for now, and for the future. Now we realize that a diagnosis of diabetes requires changes, not only by the diabetic, but also those close to them.

As a writer I found journaling our experiences helped deal with the frustration and kept me focused on doing things right. Being natural talkers we shared our experiences.  Often people would say, “You should write a book about that,” or “I wish we had known,” especially after Jack went from daily injections to an insulin pump.

We would see people doing things that we knew would impact their health and wish we could stop them, or direct them to a better way. We realized that education for diabetics ranges hugely depending on where you live.  It would sadden us to hear of someone, for example, losing their eyesight, and know that it could have been prevented, or to a degree reversed or slowed down.                           

We wrote this book to help others.  To let them know they are not in a void, whether living with the disease as a patient, or a family member, friend or coworker.  Diabetes impacts everyone. It affects when and how you eat, who you can visit, your social life, attending business functions like late dinners, activity and exercise...the list just goes on and on.

 Management is the key to maintaining the best health and getting the most enjoyment from your life.  Yet, most diabetics - and their support group - go into ignore mode, especially if they start to feel better.

 It’s a common things.  A few small changes make a difference to how you feel. Things  improve so you stop there, feeling all proud of yourself for the steps taken and the good results obtained.  The truth is you can’t stop, you must live with diabetes every day.  Think of the little

By writing Living With Diabetes we wanted to let everyone know they are not alone. Seniors with late inset diabetes, to those in their middle years and parents with juvenile diabetics to care for, have all shared their experiences, their insight and knowledge through these pages. Living With Diabetes is a valuable tool in the battle for good life.

                                                                                                             Julie Watson

LIVING WITH DIABETES:

  A FAMILY AFFAIR

  Practical and Emotional Support Strategies

  by Julie V. Watson

"Always remember that knowledge is power that takes on even more strength when combined with action." - Julie Watson

Designed to help readers and understand and manage the day-to-day challenges of living with diabetes this is not a book of medical advice, but rather a resource of sharing between diabetics and those who care about them.  A diagnosis of diabetes marks a dramatic change, not only in the life of the diabetic, but also in the lives of his or her family, friends and co-workers.  Diabetes affect work, leisure, and relationships with family and friends. But through a commitment to careful diabetes management, people with diabetes can expect to live active and enjoyable loves.  Includes a first-hand account of switching to an insulin pump and resources for diabetic and their families.

Living With Diabetes: A Family Affair

by Julie V. Watson

ISBN -10: 1-55002-551-1,  Hounslow Press/Dundurn Group,

208 pages, 6 x 9 inches, perfect binding. $24.99

To order you need to send your cheque or money order in the amount of $31.24 ($24.99 + $1.25 gst + $5.00 shipping and handling) to:      Seacroft, P.O. Box 1204, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island,   Canada, C1A 7M8

or click "Add to Cart"  button below to purchase using PayPal

Please include full mailing address for shipping book plus special autographing requests.

Allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery. (approx.)

Living With Diabetes follows a pump user’s experience from living with eight or more needles a day to “getting his life back” with a pump.  No more injections, better control, improved health, flexibility......is it for you?  Read Jack’s story, it will help you decide.

Seacroft Copyright ©  2006 all rights reserved - no reproduction of editorial or photo.